Consumer Tip for July 2010

HYPERTHERMIA: TOO HOT FOR YOUR HEALTH

Heat-Related Illness Advice for Older People

U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News National
Institute on Aging (NIA) <http://www.nia.nih.gov/>
Thursday, July 22, 2010.

Hot summer weather can pose special health risks to older adults.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National
Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid
heat-related illnesses, known as hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia is an
abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the
heat-regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming
from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness
after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion
and heat stroke are commonly known forms of hyperthermia. Risk for
these conditions can increase with the combination of outside
temperature, general health and individual lifestyle.

Lifestyle
factors can include not drinking enough fluids, living in housing
without air conditioning, lack of mobility and access to
transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not
understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions. Older
people, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, should
stay indoors on hot and humid days, especially when an air pollution
alert is in effect. People without air conditioners should go to
places such as senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters or
libraries. Cooling centers, which may be set up by local public
health agencies, religious groups and social service organizations
in many communities, are another option.

Health-related factors
that may increase risk include:

Being dehydrated.

Age-related
changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient
sweat glands.

Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any
illness that causes general weakness or fever.

High blood
pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet.

For
example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk.
However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a
doctor.

Taking several drugs for various conditions. It
is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and
discuss possible problems with a physician.

Being substantially
overweight or underweight.

Drinking alcoholic beverages.

Heat
stroke is a life-threatening form of hyperthermia. It occurs when
the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its
temperature. Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees
Fahrenheit is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have
symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of
sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium
or coma. Seek immediate emergency medical attention for a person
with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.

If you
suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:

Get the person out of the sun and into a shady, air-conditioned or
other cool place. Urge them to lie down.

If you suspect heat
stroke, call 911.

Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or
sponge off with cool water.

Apply a cold, wet cloth to the
wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin, places where blood passes close
to the surface of the skin, and the cold cloths can help cool the
blood.

Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices,
but avoid alcohol and caffeine.

The NIA leads the federal effort
supporting and conducting research on aging and the medical, social
and behavioral issues of older people. For more information on
research and the aging, go to <www.nia.nih.gov>.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical
Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a
component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is
the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic,
clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the
causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For
more information about NIH and its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.